As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities carried out in Poti, Samegrelo region, Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia exposed a group of people that were  storing, transporting and selling cigarettes subject to marking, without excise in order to receive illegal income.

As a result of investigative activities, 4 persons were arrested for selling, illegally obtained, especially large amount of cigarettes without excise on a local market. With above mentioned activities, the accused persons caused significant damage to the state budget as well as private sector acting in this business.

As a result of investigative activities 160 000  boxes of cigarettes without excise were seized , with the market value of GEL 416 000. In case of placing above mentioned cigarettes in official turnover, state budget would receive more than GEL 270 000.

Investigation is underway under third part of article 200 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from 6 to 8 years.